Boks ring changes for tour
PROP Jannie du Plessis has been recalled, flyhalf Morné Steyn axed and four uncapped players included by South Africa for November Tests in England, Italy and Wales.
The Springboks will face the Barbarians in an exhibition match at Wembley Stadium in London on November 5 with an all-local squad before the internationals because foreign-based stars are unavailable.
Veteran 2007 Rugby World Cupwinning tighthead Du Plessis is called up for the first time this season due to an injury crisis with Frans Malherbe and Julian Redelinghuys ruled out.
The Montpellier forward will compete with Vincent Koch of Saracens for the number three green and gold shirt against England at Twickenham on November 12.
Steyn, another long-serving Springbok, is dropped despite scoring all 33 points in a win over Australia and a thrashing from New Zealand in home Rugby Championship Tests this month.
Although a prolific points scorer, pundits consider unimaginative Steyn unsuitable for the more expansive, ball-in-hand approach coach Allister Coetzee wants to pursue.
Flyhalf options for the Tests include Elton Jantjies, dropped for the previous two Tests after a string of poor performances, and utility backs Patrick Lambie and Johan Goosen.
Lambie and Goosen have lined up at fullback this season for South Africa as has Willie le Roux, with none excelling in a dismal season so far of four wins and five losses.
The uncapped quartet are flankers Roelof Smit and Jean-Luc du Preez, winger Sergeal Petersen and centre Francois Venter.
Try-scorer Petersen and Venter were part of the Free State Cheetahs team that won the Currie Cup on Saturday for the first time since 2007 with a 20-point triumph over Blue Bulls.
Smit was part of the Bulls team and Du Preez of the Sharks is a son of former Springbok scrumhalf Robert du Preez.
Four of the team humiliated 57-15 by the All Blacks in Durban two weeks ago were not included – Steyn and winger Francois Hougaard, centre Juan de Jongh and flanker Francois Louw, who are injured.
“We know that playing during winter in the northern hemisphere is always a huge challenge,” said Coetzee. “The conditions are different and it requires an even more physical and tactical battle.
“The match against the Barbarians is a great occasion for our young, exciting players to show that they belong at the highest level.
“My message to them would be to make it impossible for me to ignore them for future selections and to embrace this well-deserved opportunity.” — AFP